Rookie takes on tall order
Rookie takes on tall order
By RICK HERRIN
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
STAR-TELEGRAM/SHARON M. STEINMAN
Should he start Sunday, Patrick Watkins will have to deal with a Jaguars receiving corps featuring three wideouts 6-foot-4 or taller.IRVING -- Patrick Watkins needed a few days to get over the disappointment.
The NFL Draft was a crushing and humbling experience for the proud Florida State product. The 6-foot-5 safety went undrafted in the first three rounds on the first day.
Instead, Watkins became a second-day pick, falling to the Cowboys in the fifth round.
"A rough two days," Watkins said.
The despair is long forgotten.
Watkins is expected to start at free safety Sunday in the season opener at Jacksonville. The rookie's rise becomes more fairy tale-like as he returns to his home state for his NFL debut. Not a bad makeup call for what he thought was a draft-day slight.
Watkins could become just the third Cowboys rookie since 1970 to start at safety in a season opener.
"It's a little validation," said Watkins, whose hometown is Tallahassee, a two-hour drive from Jacksonville. "It's like, 'Look where I'm at now.'"
Although coach Bill Parcells said the playing time at free safety will be spread around, Watkins has worked with the first team all week and said secondary coach Todd Bowles told him he would start. The coaching staff wanted to upgrade the position in the off-season and has given Watkins every opportunity to win the job. He started the final three preseason games, replacing last year's starter, Keith Davis.
Watkins offers more range and speed than Davis.
"The only thing you worry about with a player like Patrick and a rookie who starts is you get a little stage fright right when they get out there," Parcells said. "That's why I played him so much in the preseason: to acclimate him to what it's like."
But nothing will be like Sunday for Watkins. During preseason games he didn't stand out, but he wasn't necessarily exposed, either. He will be challenged by the Jaguars, who feature three receivers 6-foot-4 or taller. Watkins' rare height in the secondary will be needed against Matt Jones, Ernest Wilford and Reggie Williams.
"I don't think any coach feels comfortable starting rookies," Parcells said. "But that's sometimes the way you have to do things, and hopefully he's got enough training in preseason and enough work that they'll respond reasonably."
Veterans in the Cowboys secondary should be a calming influence on Watkins, who has been fielding numerous requests by family members for tickets.
"It's going to be a big thing for him going back home and starting not far from where he went to school and playing in front of his own people," said Cowboys cornerback Anthony Henry, also a Florida native. "The speed is going to be faster than he's used to."
Davis started 15 games at free safety last season, but if Watkins plays well enough, the job could be his for the foreseeable future. Parcells continues to say he knows what he has in Davis, but Watkins has enticed the coaches with his unique coverage ability.
Davis said he thought he played well in training camp and doesn't believe he played himself out of his starting role. He does not know how much free safety he will play Sunday. He was also slowed in the preseason after being shot for the second time in three years.
"I never get discouraged," Davis said. "They've got a guy they are really trying to bring along and trying to get him adapted to things."
Davis can be a high-energy special teams standout with less time at free safety. Davis and Watkins, a special teams standout at Florida State, are expected to have an impact on the special teams.
Parcells did not name a starter Friday.
"I'm considering whether I got enough guts to start a rookie," he said.
Watkins has been asking questions while trying to learn the complex coverage packages.
"I didn't come in with nothing less than wanting to start, because if I was prepared I would have a chance," Watkins said. "It's going to be an exciting moment in my life."
In the know
Kids in coverage
Cowboys rookie free safety Patrick Watkins is expected to start the season opener against Jacksonville. Rookies to start the opener at safety in Cowboys history:
Fred Doelling 1960
Mel Renfro 1964
Cliff Harris 1970
Michael Downs 1981
Roy Williams 2002
By RICK HERRIN
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
STAR-TELEGRAM/SHARON M. STEINMAN
Should he start Sunday, Patrick Watkins will have to deal with a Jaguars receiving corps featuring three wideouts 6-foot-4 or taller.IRVING -- Patrick Watkins needed a few days to get over the disappointment.
The NFL Draft was a crushing and humbling experience for the proud Florida State product. The 6-foot-5 safety went undrafted in the first three rounds on the first day.
Instead, Watkins became a second-day pick, falling to the Cowboys in the fifth round.
"A rough two days," Watkins said.
The despair is long forgotten.
Watkins is expected to start at free safety Sunday in the season opener at Jacksonville. The rookie's rise becomes more fairy tale-like as he returns to his home state for his NFL debut. Not a bad makeup call for what he thought was a draft-day slight.
Watkins could become just the third Cowboys rookie since 1970 to start at safety in a season opener.
"It's a little validation," said Watkins, whose hometown is Tallahassee, a two-hour drive from Jacksonville. "It's like, 'Look where I'm at now.'"
Although coach Bill Parcells said the playing time at free safety will be spread around, Watkins has worked with the first team all week and said secondary coach Todd Bowles told him he would start. The coaching staff wanted to upgrade the position in the off-season and has given Watkins every opportunity to win the job. He started the final three preseason games, replacing last year's starter, Keith Davis.
Watkins offers more range and speed than Davis.
"The only thing you worry about with a player like Patrick and a rookie who starts is you get a little stage fright right when they get out there," Parcells said. "That's why I played him so much in the preseason: to acclimate him to what it's like."
But nothing will be like Sunday for Watkins. During preseason games he didn't stand out, but he wasn't necessarily exposed, either. He will be challenged by the Jaguars, who feature three receivers 6-foot-4 or taller. Watkins' rare height in the secondary will be needed against Matt Jones, Ernest Wilford and Reggie Williams.
"I don't think any coach feels comfortable starting rookies," Parcells said. "But that's sometimes the way you have to do things, and hopefully he's got enough training in preseason and enough work that they'll respond reasonably."
Veterans in the Cowboys secondary should be a calming influence on Watkins, who has been fielding numerous requests by family members for tickets.
"It's going to be a big thing for him going back home and starting not far from where he went to school and playing in front of his own people," said Cowboys cornerback Anthony Henry, also a Florida native. "The speed is going to be faster than he's used to."
Davis started 15 games at free safety last season, but if Watkins plays well enough, the job could be his for the foreseeable future. Parcells continues to say he knows what he has in Davis, but Watkins has enticed the coaches with his unique coverage ability.
Davis said he thought he played well in training camp and doesn't believe he played himself out of his starting role. He does not know how much free safety he will play Sunday. He was also slowed in the preseason after being shot for the second time in three years.
"I never get discouraged," Davis said. "They've got a guy they are really trying to bring along and trying to get him adapted to things."
Davis can be a high-energy special teams standout with less time at free safety. Davis and Watkins, a special teams standout at Florida State, are expected to have an impact on the special teams.
Parcells did not name a starter Friday.
"I'm considering whether I got enough guts to start a rookie," he said.
Watkins has been asking questions while trying to learn the complex coverage packages.
"I didn't come in with nothing less than wanting to start, because if I was prepared I would have a chance," Watkins said. "It's going to be an exciting moment in my life."
In the know
Kids in coverage
Cowboys rookie free safety Patrick Watkins is expected to start the season opener against Jacksonville. Rookies to start the opener at safety in Cowboys history:
Fred Doelling 1960
Mel Renfro 1964
Cliff Harris 1970
Michael Downs 1981
Roy Williams 2002
posted by The Gryphon at 9:17 AM
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